Questions and answers about the Catalonia independence vote

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The President of Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Artur Mas, is acclaimed by supporters in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday.

A "estelada" or pro-independence flag and a European Union flag are waved in front of the President of Democratic Convergence of Catalonia Artur Mas, center in front of supporters in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday.

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Catalonian independence supporter wearing a bracelet with the "estelada" or pro independence flag colors, raises her fist during reactions after the vote in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday.

BARCELONA, Spain – Pro-secession parties pushing for Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region to break away and form a new Mediterranean nation won a landmark vote Sunday by capturing a regional parliamentary majority, setting up a possible showdown over independence with the central government in Madrid.

Here are some questions and answers about the Catalonia independence vote:

Q: How and why did the vote come about?

A: Catalonia is a prosperous, industrialized region in northeast Spain sharing a Mediterranean border with France. It has for centuries treasured its own language and culture, but during the 1939-1975 military dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco, the Catalan language was banned in spoken and written forms.

The recent surge in independence sentiment stems from June 2010, when Spain’s highest court struck down key parts of a groundbreaking charter that would have granted Catalonia more autonomy and recognized it as a nation within Spain.

Artur Mas, Catalonia’s regional leader, began openly pushing for an independence referendum but Spain’s central government has repeatedly quashed moves for a plebiscite, maintaining it would be unconstitutional.

Eventually, Mas decided to turn elections for the regional parliament into a substitute ballot on independence.

Q: Who has won?

A: Mas has claimed victory as separatists had a majority of lawmakers returned to parliament in Barcelona. However, opponents to independence say the majority of votes were cast by those did not want to break away from Spain.

Q: What does Spain’s government think?

A: The government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has made it clear it will use all legal methods to prevent the independence of Catalonia, which accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain’s economic output.

Q: What’s next?

A: With both sides claiming some form of victory, moves to declare independence will be opposed. Months of negotiations are likely.

Many analysts believe the independence drive will be halted after Spain holds a general election in December and decides whether Rajoy and his Popular Party stay in power. Whoever wins, analysts say, the next government is likely to start negotiating more autonomy and fiscal powers for Catalonia.